Description

Wild Cherry follows a crack system just right of Dong (photos coming soon). It has a nice variety of climbing including squeeze chimney, offwidth, and handcrack that protects well. It can be done in one or two pitches with a possible short additional pitch if you choose to top out.

One guidebook recommends a short first pitch ending just above the second chockstone. We set our belay about fifteen feet higher on a small ledge (maybe 1' X 3'). We set our second belay right after you face climb around a bulging boulder.

Overall, it is a fun route with no real distinct crux. We were not sure if the climb had a 5.8 move. All the guidebooks give the route a 5.8 rating, but it may be soft.

Location

Wild Cherry is on the Leftovers just right of the wide Ding and Dong climbs and maybe 40-50 left of Mellow Yellow. There are three or four ways to get down from pitch 2. There are a couple of short cracks that go to the top. You can also descend down into a hole then up an easy slab to the top. We bailed at the top of the second pitch due to lightning. In summary, it's adventure climbing. Bring webbing or cord and bail biners.

Protection

Full rack up to a #5 Friend, you may want doubles in the 2 - 4 inch range if you combine the first two pitches.